Family First

[wildfiction]

Joel:

I'm really impressed with your Family First (http://www.familyfirst.com) web site. Can you tell us what blog software you are using on that site?

Another question about that site: I see that in mid 2001 you switched the site from MS/IIS to Apache. Why did you do that and what can you advise us about selecting Apache over IIS as a server?

Thanks for all the help and advice that you're giving us on this forum - it's much appreciated.

[wildfiction]

Does Joel ever hang out here and ask questions?

[Celicaphile]

I don't think so... he only seems to post stuff when he has something to add to his newsletter, so he can send another newsletter to direct people to his post here on the forums, on which he has a bunch of people creating content for him, so he doesn't have to lift a finger. Most everything I've seen is plain and simple common sense or can be found in much more detail on forums like webmasterworld or abestweb.

I have a feeling he wouldn't share the answer to your question at all, or at least w/out you paying for it :rolleyes:

[markp-r]

I've always found it fascinating that people are so quick to think poorly of people who do BIG things... after the initial Glow is Gone!

I'm not here to defend Joel... I'm here to learn and grow my AdSense income - period. I find adsensechat.com a good resource of information and a sharing of ideas. It's also a great place to interact with other Internet entrepreneurs who are like minded in their desire to grow their AdSense revenues.

So what if Joel doesn't hang out here?

He's a busy guy who continues to grow his business. Isn't that what is expected when one is building a financial future? Isn't that what YOU would do if you had the opportunities?

Joel had his fingers in many ventures prior to AdSense Chat... and he'll continue to do the same. We all have the same number of hours in our day... and I suspect that Joel has priorities that are more profitable to him and his family.

I applaud that Joel was generous enough to go through what it takes to set up this meeting place. To use his many contact vehicles to grow the list of members. To actually provide useful information here... even if he is not here to post daily... or hold our hands with every question or concern.

I don't know about the other forums that you mention... I'm sure they're wonderful and offer lots of useful information as well. I do know that for me, I only have enough time to fully participate in one forum.

I've chosen adsensechat.com simply because it started shortly after I bought Joel's book. I learned a great deal in Joel's book(s), and I feel very comfortable following his advice. That's why I hang out here.

I do so hope that people will find the ideas and answers they are looking for. But, too often people are looking for the easy answers... the one quick fix that will make them a billion bucks. They will try anything for a short time, and if it doesn't work immediately they move on to something else... some other strategy.

I don't believe life works that way (my opinion). I believe each person looks at their options and chooses what to do. Then if they keep testing, working, and following through - success can be theirs (Again my opinion...)!

So, feel what you will... participate if you choose... prosper if you persist.

I for one will not participate in questioning Joel's intent or accomplishments... I am a wealthier man for following the ideas he presented... I will always be grateful for that.

[Mytigodess]

I agree with markp-r. Joel is doing so many projects and it is hard to put too much energy in every single detail. He wrote the book with many helpful tips and set up a forum for those who bought it to share their experiences, tips and techniques and will jump in when he has a moment to post something new. It's like he sold us the basics and now it is time for us to run with it.

That's the problem when you buy anything related to doing business. There will always be those who can read enough to be inspired to go forth and then seek out what is required in their particular circumstances to pull it off and those who will read it and not have a clue as to how to make it fit in their lives. This forum is a mixture of both types. I think we do as good as we all can to help each other out. I don't think Joel has that much time on his hands to come here and answer every specific question [time=money].

It's not that he's being a snob or thinks we bought the book and that's all he wants to do with us. It's a matter of being practical.

[Celicaphile]

Exactly what I was saying... he has more important things to do...



BTW, it takes 10 minutes and the cost of a vBulletin license to set up a site like this. vBulletin is $85-160 & you can get 20% off using an affiliate link thru CJ.

[wildfiction]

Well the questions that I asked are not complicated or trade secret oriented and were not necessarily just for Joel (even though I addressed them to him) and I would appreciate anybody answering them or hazarding a guess about them.

I think that his blog software is great and so perhaps I should rephrase the questions:
Does anybody know what blog software Joel is using on Family First? Is it commercially available or did he write it himself?
Why would he switch from IIS to Apache? What did he gain/lose in the process?

I believe that the answers to these questions would help many people on this forum and that's what Joel wants from this forum so I am sure that he will answer them if he sees them or encourage others to answer them.

Thanks!

[Celicaphile]

I don't know what he used for that, but here's a link to a free php script that I've used and would use again:
http://mybloggie.mywebland.com/

[wildfiction]

thanks Celicaphile - looks really good. Great that it's open source as well which makes it customizable.

[AuctionMan]

Take a look at Wordpress, lots of great support and templates and if you have fantastico on your cpanel then pretty much a 4 click install process..

[wildfiction]

AuctionMan: Is that for blog hosting or blog software? I don't see the software - just a blog hosting option...

[AuctionMan]

Wordpress offers both options, either host it yourself or with wordpress itself...

www.wordpress.org

I can point you in the direction of hosting that for £12 a year, gives you all you will need for a wordpress site. It has cpanel and fantastico support (all included in the £1 a month)..

[wildfiction]

go ahead and point... :)

[AuctionMan]

Better Web Space (http://www.betterwebspace.com) (or PM me for my affiliate link to them). Kieron runs a great service and is very helpful, take a look and see what you think.

[wildfiction]

Thanks for the link - just visited them to what they have. I am looking for a new host at the moment but I need ASP.NET 2.0 so they don't qualify. I'm trying out webhost4life at the moment. Their advertised costs compare to my current host but after you sign up with them a whole bunch of hidden costs jump out of the woodwork and it looks like they're going to be 3 times more expensive than advertized...